Left But Not Forgotten: The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester

This is the extraordinary and moving story of the young children who came to the Chester branch of London’s Foundling Hospital in the eighteenth century. 

Hundreds of ‘foundlings’ – young children who had either been abandoned as babies or were at risk of being so – were brought to Chester to be cared for in the city or in surrounding villages. Their parents were typically poverty-stricken couples or unmarried mothers, many hoping for a better future for their children than they could offer. 

Until now, this remarkable story has somehow been overlooked. Now, based on careful research by prize-winning author Dr Anthony Annakin-Smith, this extensively illustrated book allows us to explore the lives of the 306 children before, during and after their time in Chester. 

This book is a poignant tribute to these children and ensures that their lives are no longer forgotten.